Recent unconfirmed reports in the U.K media that claimed that the country’s ministers will target hybrid vehicles in the crackdown on polluting vehicles in a new emissions program have made the car industry in the U.K. to hit out against the government.
There were reports that any electric powered car that is not able to run for at least 50 miles on a single charge could be banned by 2040. According to the car industry, such a ruling would incapacitate Toyota's Prius which is the best-selling hybrid car brand in the U.K.
The industry was being damaged and jobs were being bit by "misleading" government messages said the SMMT car trade body.
There were no plans for a ban, said the Department for Transport in a short statement.
The Road to Zero car emissions strategy of the government is due for imminent unveiling according to reports in the Financial Times and Autocar.
Last year, the U.K government had announced the banning of sale of any new diesel and petrol cars in the country by 2040. However, the government had not made its position clear on electrified models and it is being expected that the position would be cleared in the Road to Zero document.
The industry was becoming increasingly concerned, said Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. The deficiency of clarity in the plans of the government was criticized by him.
"Unrealistic targets and misleading messaging on bans will only undermine our efforts to realise this future, confusing consumers and wreaking havoc on the new car market and the thousands of jobs it supports," Mr Hawes aid.
Billions of pounds are being invested in the car industry in development of new technology and cusotmer4 choice is being expanded in response to the zero emission transport goal of the government because the car industry shares the sentiments of the government, he said.
But he added: "We cannot support ambition levels which do not appreciate how industry, the consumer or the market operate and which are based neither on fact nor substance.
"Consumers need clear information about the right vehicles for their driving needs and it is again disappointing for both industry and consumers that vitally important information about government policy is being communicated by leaks."
It is being reasonably assumed that by 2040 almost all cars would be hybridised in some way or the other due to the stricter emissions legislation. And hence there would be little relevance of a ban on conventional, non-hybridised cars.
But a whole lot of present machines will be outlawed if there is a ban by the government on vehicles that cannot ply for at least 50 miles on electric power. And that stipulation would also render those hybrid cars that are referred to as plug-in hybrids and which already is able to travel at least some distance on battery power, useless.
Therefore, it translates into the need for a lot more investment to enhance efficiency and to increase the infrastructure for charging. And car buyers will need to be encouraged to buy the right vehicles.
(Source:www.bbc.com)
There were reports that any electric powered car that is not able to run for at least 50 miles on a single charge could be banned by 2040. According to the car industry, such a ruling would incapacitate Toyota's Prius which is the best-selling hybrid car brand in the U.K.
The industry was being damaged and jobs were being bit by "misleading" government messages said the SMMT car trade body.
There were no plans for a ban, said the Department for Transport in a short statement.
The Road to Zero car emissions strategy of the government is due for imminent unveiling according to reports in the Financial Times and Autocar.
Last year, the U.K government had announced the banning of sale of any new diesel and petrol cars in the country by 2040. However, the government had not made its position clear on electrified models and it is being expected that the position would be cleared in the Road to Zero document.
The industry was becoming increasingly concerned, said Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. The deficiency of clarity in the plans of the government was criticized by him.
"Unrealistic targets and misleading messaging on bans will only undermine our efforts to realise this future, confusing consumers and wreaking havoc on the new car market and the thousands of jobs it supports," Mr Hawes aid.
Billions of pounds are being invested in the car industry in development of new technology and cusotmer4 choice is being expanded in response to the zero emission transport goal of the government because the car industry shares the sentiments of the government, he said.
But he added: "We cannot support ambition levels which do not appreciate how industry, the consumer or the market operate and which are based neither on fact nor substance.
"Consumers need clear information about the right vehicles for their driving needs and it is again disappointing for both industry and consumers that vitally important information about government policy is being communicated by leaks."
It is being reasonably assumed that by 2040 almost all cars would be hybridised in some way or the other due to the stricter emissions legislation. And hence there would be little relevance of a ban on conventional, non-hybridised cars.
But a whole lot of present machines will be outlawed if there is a ban by the government on vehicles that cannot ply for at least 50 miles on electric power. And that stipulation would also render those hybrid cars that are referred to as plug-in hybrids and which already is able to travel at least some distance on battery power, useless.
Therefore, it translates into the need for a lot more investment to enhance efficiency and to increase the infrastructure for charging. And car buyers will need to be encouraged to buy the right vehicles.
(Source:www.bbc.com)
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